Archives for December 28, 2003

‘But in a year when the offensive performance of this Buffalo team brought back bleak memories of the darkest period in franchise history – the back-to-back 2-14 seasons of 1984 and ’85 – the 31-0 finale wasn’t quite perfect enough. Nope, it took offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride to make it fool-proof perfect.’

‘Kevin Gilbride’s offense didn’t produce a TD for the seventh time this season, Jerry Gray’s defense allowed its second-most points, and generally speaking, Gregg Williams’ players quit on him. Let’s ring out the old. Grade is “G” (for gone).’

‘The first time the Bills touched the ball, Bledsoe was intercepted, the beginning of yet another long afternoon.’

‘"You don’t get rid of guys like Peerless Price and Jay Riemersma and myself and expect to be productive," said fullback Larry Centers, who was released by the Bills in the off-season and signed by the Patriots.’

‘The Patriots, who have allowed 22 points in their last six home games, fed off the emotion of the embarrassing first-week loss all season. Some players were upset with what they perceived to be cocky comments by the Bills after that win, and they were waiting to gain revenge.’

‘"It meant a lot," said Izzo. "I know all 53 guys on this team wanted to keep that zero on that scoreboard. It was nice to be able to make the play and contribute to the shutout. But you’ve got to give credit to everyone in this locker room because it wasn’t just one play. It was 60 minutes of football. I feel really happy that we were able to get it done for the defense."’

‘For Bledsoe, it was a sad end to what has become the sorriest season of his career, one marked by not only frustration and failure but, for the first time, a measure of self-doubt. He has admitted that his internal clock has gone awry, the one that tells him how much time he has to throw the ball and when to release it.’

‘"During the week I didn’t really think about it," the former Patriots defensive captain said of his first return to Foxborough since being released in September and landing in Buffalo. "But on the way here it really did start to get weird for me. As we got close to the stadium I had to hold back the emotions. I didn’t want my teammates to see me like that. It was the final step of closure. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to the fans before, but now it’s over."’

‘Brady capped off that year with four first-half touchdown passes in a game we really have no choice but to label the Payback Bowl. Who among us was unaware that when the Patriots traveled to Buffalo Sept. 7 for the season opener, that the Bills had manhandled them by — is this coincidence, or what? — a score of 31-0? There really was no need for Belichick to go into his Rockne mode, whatever that might be (Actually, I’d pay pretty good money to hear that speech). "I don’t think anybody was particularly proud of that opening game," Belichick said.’

‘Here is the unvarnished truth: Your Patriots are the best team in football.’

‘We are the joke no more. We are the Detroit Red Wings. We are the Los Angeles Lakers. We are the (gulp) New York Yankees.’

‘Drew Bledsoe was sacked 49 times for the season, five fewer than last season and 17 more than the Patriots’ Tom Brady.’

‘Drew Bledsoe completed just 12 of 29 passes for 83 yards with 1 interception for the Bills.’

‘“The road to the Super Bowl goes through Foxboro,” defensive lineman Richard Seymour [news] said. “Everyone knows that.”’

‘“It was fluttering up there kind of like a Christmas gift from him,” Vrabel said. “But it was a big play.”’